THE WISDOME OF Iesus the sonne of Sirach, Or Ecclesiasticus.
Introductory matter
A Prologue made by an vncertaine Authour.
This Iesus was the sonne of Sirach, and grand-childe to Iesus of the same name with him; This man therefore liued in the latter times, after the people had bene led away captiue, and called home againe, and almost after all the Prophets. [ Note: Some referre this Prologue to Athanasius, because it is found in his Synopsis.] Now his grandfather Iesus (as he himselfe witnesseth) was a man of great diligence and wisedome among the Hebrewes, who did not onely gather the graue and short Sentences of wise men, that had bene before him, but himselfe also vttered some of his owne, full of much vnderstanding and wisedome. When as therefore the first Iesus died, leauing this booke almost [ Note: Or, collected.] perfected, Sirach his sonne receiuing it after him, left it to his owne sonne Iesus, who hauing gotten it into his hands, compiled it all orderly into one Uolume, and called it Wisdome, Intituling it, both by his owne name, his fathers name, and his grandfathers, alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisedome, to haue a greater loue to the studie of this Booke. It conteineth therefore wise Sayings, darke Sentences, and Parables, and certaine particular ancient godly stories of men that pleased God. Also his Prayer and Song. Moreouer, what benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues he had heaped vpon their enemies. This Iesus did imitate Solomon, and was no lesse famous for Wisedome, and learning, both being indeed a man of great learning, and so reputed also.
The Prologue of the Wisdome of Iesus the sonne of Sirach.
Whereas many and great things haue bene deliuered vnto vs by the Law and the Prophets, and by others that haue followed their steps, for the which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and Wisedome, and whereof not onely the Readers must needs become skilful themselues, but also they that desire to learne, be able to profit them which are [ Note: Or, of an other nation.] without, both by speaking and writing: My grandfather Iesus, when he had much giuen himselfe to the reading of the Law, and the Prophets, and other Bookes of our fathers, and had gotten therein good iudgement, was drawen on also himselfe, to write something pertayning to learning and Wisedome, to the intent that those which are desirous to learne, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in liuing according to the Law. Wherefore, let me intreat you to reade it with fauour and attention, and to pardon Us, wherein wee may seeme to come short of some words which we haue laboured to interprete. For the same things vttered in Hebrew, and translated into an other tongue, haue not the same force in them: and not onely these things, but the Law it selfe, and the [ Note: Greek: prophecies.] Prophets, and the rest of the Bookes, haue no small [ Note: Or, excellencie.] difference, when they are spoken in their owne language. For in the eight and thirtieth yeere coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was King, and continuing there sometime, I found a [ Note: Or, helpe of learning.] Booke of no small learning, therefore I thought it most necessary for mee, to bestow some diligence and trauaile to interprete it: Using great watchfulnesse, and skill in that space, to bring the Booke to an end, and set it foorth for them also, which in a strange countrey are willing to learne, being prepared before in maners to liue after the Law.
Eclesiástico 7,1-36
Chapter VII.
1 Wee are exhorted from sinne, 4 from ambition, 8 presumption, 10 and fainting in prayer: 12 from lying and backebiting, 18 and how to esteeme a friend: 19 A good wife: 20 a seruant: 22 our cattell: 23 our children and parents: 31 the Lord and his Priests: 32 the poore and those that mourne.
1 Doe no euill, so shall no harme come vnto thee.
2 Depart from the vniust, and iniquitie shall turne away from thee.
3 My sonne, sow not vpon the furrowes of vnrighteousnesse, and thou shalt not reape them seuen folde.
4 Seeke not of the Lord preheminence, neither of the King the seate of honour.
5 [ Psa_142:2; Ecc_7:17; Job_9:20; Luk_18:11.] Iustifie not thy selfe before the Lord, and boast not of thy wisedome before the king.
6 Seeke not to be iudge, being not able to take away iniquitie, lest at any time thou feare the person of the mightie, and lay a stumbling blocke in the way of thy vprightnesse.
7 Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then thou shalt not cast thy selfe downe among the people.
8 Bind not one sinne vpon another,
for in one thou shalt not be vnpunished.
9 Say not, God wil looke vpon the multitude of my oblations, and when I offer to the most High God, he will accept it.
10 Be not faint hearted when thou makest thy prayer, and neglect not to giue almes.
11 Laugh no man to scorne in the bitternesse of his soule: for there is one which humbleth and exalteth.
12 [ Greek: plough not.] Deuise not a lie against thy brother: neither doe the like to thy friend.
13 Use not to make any maner of lie: for the custome thereof is not good.
14 Use not many words in a multitude of Elders, [ Mat_6:5; Mat_6:7.] and make not [ Or, vaine repetition.] much babling when thou prayest.
15 Hate not laborious worke, neither husbandrie, which the most High hath [ Greek: created.] ordeined.
16 Number not thy selfe among the multitude of sinners, but remember that wrath will not tary long.
17 Humble thy soule greatly: for the vengeance of the vngodly is fire and wormes.
18 Change not a friend for any good by no meanes: neither a faithfull brother for the gold of Ophir.
19 Forgoe not a wise and good woman: for her grace is aboue gold.
20 [ Lev_19:15.] Whereas thy seruant worketh truely, entreate him not euill, nor the hireling that bestoweth himselfe wholly for thee.
21 Let thy soule loue a good seruant, and defraud him not of liberty.
22 [ Deu_25:4.] Hast thou cattell? haue an eye to them, and if they be for thy profit, keepe them with thee.
23 Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow downe their necke from their youth.
24 Hast thou daughters? haue care of their body, and shewe not thy selfe cheerefull toward them.
25 Marrie thy daughter, and so shalt thou haue performed a weightie matter: but giue her to a man of vnderstanding.
26 Hast thou a wife after thy minde? forsake her not, but giue not thy selfe ouer to a [ Or, hateful.] light woman.
27 Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrowes of thy mother.
28 Remember that thou wast begot of them, and how canst thou recompense them the things that they haue done for thee?
29 Feare the Lord with all thy soule, and reuerence his priests.
30 Loue him that made thee with all thy strength, and forsake not his ministers.
31 Feare the Lord, and honour the priest: and giue him his portion, as it is commanded thee, the first fruits, and the trespasse offering, & the gift of the shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.
32 [ Deu_15:10.] And stretch thine hand vnto the poore, that thy [ Or, thy liberality.] blessing may be perfected
33 A gift hath grace in the sight of euery man liuing, and for the dead deteine it not.
34 Faile not to bee with them that weepe, and mourne with them that mourne.
35 Be not slow to visit the sicke: for that shall make thee to be beloued.
36 Whatsoeuer thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt neuer doe amisse.